Category Archives: South Milwaukee

by | July 1, 2015 · 9:25 pm

Beach Food: Limited Opening For Ferch’s This Week

Ferch logoJust in time for the holiday weekend … some good news for Grant Park, and South Milwaukee.

The owners of Ferch’s Beachside tell me they plan to open Friday with a temporary menu of hot, dogs, brats, beer, soda and water, as buildout of their beach concession space continues.

For now, until they are open with a full menu in a fully renovated new space, days of operation will include weekends and volleyball league nights (Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays), with hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Let’s welcome Ferch’s to town … and be patient for their more formal opening (with burgers, custard, etc.) later this summer.

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by | July 1, 2015 · 5:02 pm

Happy July 4th: See You At Grant Park On Saturday!

July 4th a-frame

Plan on bringing your family and friends to Grant Park for our July 4th festivities on Saturday.

The fun starts at 10 a.m., and the day includes bike judging, games, bouncy houses, music and more … oh, and a free lunch, with the second-annual Mayor’s Picnic.

Learn more in my previous post. And thanks again to our sponsors!

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by | June 27, 2015 · 7:34 pm

Celebrating South Milwaukee’s Top Garden Spots: And The Mayor’s Choice Winner Is …

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Update: I have posted photos from all eight gardens on my Facebook page.

The South Milwaukee Historical Society’s seventh-annual Garden Tour was in full bloom on Saturday.

What a terrific showcase for South Milwaukee!

My family visited all eight gardens on the tour, and we came away so impressed with the painstaking work put into keeping these homes beautiful. These are just amazing outdoor spaces.

I can’t thank the volunteers from the Garden Club and Historical Society enough for all the hours they put into this event. It paid off with a wonderful celebration of what makes South Milwaukee so special — our unique neighborhoods, homes, people and, of course, gardens.

So, who was the best of the best?

For the first time, I was asked to give out a Mayor’s Choice Award, and instead of one, we are giving out four. Here is the list …

  • Mayor’s Choice Award Grand Prize: The home of Jerry and Kay Grant, 1414 Fairview Avenue. Their backyard is home to a working model railroad, complete with a station, and some beautiful plantings. A few photos are in this post. They receive a wonderful piece of window art from Garden Tour vendor and local resident Deb Sindric (Flowers and More by Deb), $50 in local restaurant gift certificates, a Historical Society membership and a proclamation from the city.
  • Mayor’s Choice Award Honorable Mentions: The homes of Becky Gresser (906 Fairview Avenue), Judy Lewandowski (800 Lake Drive) and Tom and Peggy Bartelt (111 16th Avenue). All three of these were special in their own right, with immaculate and meticulous gardens, seating and entertainment areas. Each honorable mention winner receives a Historical Society membership, a copy of the society’s “Letters to Mettie” book and recognition in the proclamation.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in this, and I wish I could have given all eight participants an award. These spaces were that outstanding. But, in the end, the real winners here are the people who had a chance to experience these terrific South Milwaukee homes on Saturday, including a number of folks from outside our fair city.

I can’t think of a better postcard for South Milwaukee.

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by | June 27, 2015 · 7:25 pm

Grant Park Updates: Oak Leaf Trail, Last Call For Beer Garden

Beer garden

A couple quick updates on the ongoing work in Grant Park …

  • First, I’m told repaving and widening work on the Oak Leaf Trail through the park is expected to start around July 13. It will begin near the golf course clubhouse and work north, with a completion date around August 20. The park drive may be closed for a short period during tree removal. This is a significant project that is long overdue — and just one of a number of upgrades planned along the Oak Leaf Trail and other trails throughout the region. Learn more here and here.
  • The traveling beer garden at Picnic Area 5 ends Sunday night. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with last call at 9. It’s been a big success, by all accounts, and sales are very strong. Now let’s work on bringing it back in 2016!

More to come in the park this summer, as Ferch’s Beachside continues to work toward its opening … stay tuned.

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by | June 25, 2015 · 7:12 pm

Emergency Repair: County Board Backs Bridge Funding

Beech Street bridge

Good news for South Milwaukee from the Milwaukee County Board today, as supervisors overwhelmingly passed a measure to spend $200,000 in emergency funding for reconstruction of the Beech Street foot bridge over Oak Creek.

Here is the press release from County Supervisor Patricia Jursik, who drove this effort.

I thank Pat for her hard work on this, and for all who voted for this important piece of legislation for South Milwaukee. This foot bridge is a vital connection between our middle and high schools and the northwest side of town.

From all the upgrades under way at Grant Park to investments in Grobschmidt Pool to the continued partnership around an Oak Creek watershed restoration study, the county continues to make an investment in South Milwaukee.

I am very appreciative to see this project added to the list, and was happy to get behind this effort.

I will keep you posted on timelines for replacement. The hope: We have a new bridge in place in time for the start of the new school year.

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by | June 24, 2015 · 10:37 am

Join Us For Another July 4th To Remember

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Our July 4th celebration at Grant Park will be bigger than ever in 2015.

As always, the festivities start at 10 a.m. at Picnic Areas 5, 5a and 6 with bike judging, followed by games and the penny scramble. Ice cream and cracker jack will be available free for all participants.

All attendees are then invited to the second annual free Mayor’s Picnic, where Steve and his team from Emerald City Catering will serve hot dogs, chips, soda and water, thanks to a generous donation by TASC Services, a local commercial cleaning company. And that’s not all: We’re also offering bouncy houses, temporary tattoos for the kids, and more … all ending with fireworks that night.

Max A. Sass & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services is sponsoring the inflatables again this year, and Educators Credit Union is sponsoring the local DJ, from noon to 7 p.m.

My goal is to find new ways to get more families to our July 4th events and keep those families at Grant Park longer. Last year, we delivered on that, and we’ll do it again in 2015. I hope you can make it.

Thanks to all of our sponsors for stepping up!

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by | June 20, 2015 · 4:55 pm

Looking Back, To Move Ahead: Take Your Own Downtown History Tour

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I can’t thank Nels Monson and the South Milwaukee Historical Society enough for their efforts with the downtown history walking tour on Saturday.

Nels’ knowledge of local history and storytelling abilities are amazing, and hearing him speak about our “proud past” inspires me.

My ask: Take the tour for yourself. Here is a brochure for a self-guided version of this trip into South Milwaukee’s past.

I think you’ll agree that, more than ever, this much is clear: We need to embrace that past as we look to the future of downtown, a future that we’ll be writing in coming months as part of our downtown planning efforts. There is so much inspiration we can draw from our history, as we look to drive investment, energy and new life in our city center.

Of course, we can’t dwell on the past. And we don’t. But as we plan for the future, I’m excited to learn all I can about where we’ve come from as we work together to determine where we’re headed.

Let’s get moving on this journey!

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by | June 18, 2015 · 11:04 pm

South Milwaukee Police Release Annual Report

It was a busy year for the South Milwaukee Police Department … and their 2014 annual report sums it up well.

Check it out here.

Success piled up, from the department’s successful certification efforts to the addition of body cameras for all officers to all of its efforts in the community, including Shop with a Cop, Justice for a Cure and Community Night Out, among others.

And while crime was up from 2014 in some key areas, longer term trends are still very good … and I am as convinced as ever that our police department is doing all it can to operate effectively with one of the smallest forces per capita in the region.

I thank them for their hard work.

As Chief Ann Wellens put it in the report …

The officers and the staff of the South Milwaukee Police Department take great pride in serving our community. It is their goal to provide the best service possible to the citizens of South Milwaukee. The data found in this Annual Report represents only a snapshot of the total activities of the members of the South Milwaukee Police Department over the past year. … The members of the South Milwaukee Police Department, working cooperatively with our citizens and elected officials, have met many difficult challenges during the past year. The future holds many new and different challenges. Members of the Police Department are dedicated to meeting those challenges with the support of the community and our elected officials. We will continue to work towards the safety and wellbeing of all citizens of South Milwaukee.

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by | June 18, 2015 · 10:43 pm

A Beautiful South Milwaukee Garden And Other Local Headlines

SM garden

The South Milwaukee Garden Tour is coming up Saturday, June 27, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has the first of several garden profiles online now. Check it out here.

And check out these South Shore headlines …

Also, NOW has published a new police blotter.

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by | June 17, 2015 · 8:38 pm

Reminder: Outdoor Movie Friday, Downtown History Walking Tour On Saturday (And The Market On Thursday)

Dinner and a Movie 2 Train station old

Update: Here is a list of participating restaurants for the first “Dinner and a Movie”: Azteca, China Chef, Barbiere’s, Muskie’s Gourmet House and MKE City Sippers. Be sure to patronize these local businesses!

So, it’s farmers’ market on Thursday, outdoor movie on Friday, and then this on Saturday …

The cool downtown events continue with the South Milwaukee Historical Society Downtown Walking Tour starting at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday, June 20.

From local historian Nels Monson, who is leading the walking tour …

Lace up your walking shoes and join us on Saturday June 20 for a walking tour of Downtown South Milwaukee led by City Historian Nels Monson. Tour starts at the Railroad Depot and is expected to last about two hours. Cost is $5 per person. Children under 12 and seniors over 80 are FREE. All proceeds benefit the South Milwaukee Historical Society.

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by | June 17, 2015 · 8:23 pm

More On The Sahagian Auto Body Property

As you may have seen on TMJ4 TV last night, a judge is allowing the city to move ahead with demolition of the Sahagian Auto Body property as early as July 16.

As our city attorney states in the story, the property at 1115 College Ave. has become unsafe and blighted, and after years of attempting to work with the owner to clean it up, our last resort is to move for razing.

I respect very much Pete Sahagian and the business he built there. But property owners have a responsibility to maintain their properties to a minimum standard. That hasn’t happened here.

Now, with an unsafe and non-compliant roof on the building and other issues that continue to go unaddressed, the cost of repair (estimated at $40,000) nearly equals the assessed value of the building ($42,000, with improvements). And it’s clear there aren’t the funds available – either from Pete or Waterstone Bank, which acquired the property through a foreclosure action in 2010 – to make the necessary fixes.

With that in mind, and given years of unheeded orders to repair the building, the city council made a decision to move ahead with removing the structures on the site. I stand behind it.

Pete and Waterstone Bank will continue to own the property once the demolition is complete, and the city has no plans to acquire it. This is simply a property maintenance issue — and about our belief as a city, and mine as mayor, that we must step up our game when it comes to the condition of properties.

We have to be fair and willing to work with owners of properties in bad condition, and we have here. But we also have to enforce our ordinances and do what’s best for our city. We are doing it with Sahagian Auto Body.

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by | June 17, 2015 · 3:29 pm

Welcome Back, Papa Luigi’s II

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“How you doin’?” asked the voice on the other end of the phone, and I knew exactly who it was.

It was Sal Purpora, of course, owner of Salvatore’s/Papa Luigi’s II in downtown South Milwaukee, and he was calling with good news.

His message: He is planning to formally reopen his facility – closed for nearly a year and a half due to more than $1.6 million in water damage from a burst sprinkler system pipe – in phases starting at the end of this month.

First, it will be for bowling leagues and select banquets – with the bar open during times when the facility is in use. Then will come the kitchen, restaurant, and gym space, although remodeling those parts of the building may take a year or more as Sal continues to allocate money from his restaurant supply business and Cudahy location to South Milwaukee.

So, it will take some time. But I am still very excited that Sal, for the first time, is making this formal, public announcement of his plans to reopen – and for what this means for downtown. It is significant progress, and a definitive answer to the question I know many fans of Papa Luigi’s had: “Will Sal ever rebuild?”

One key part of the rebuilding effort was installation a costly new sprinkler system, and that occurred in recent weeks. Our inspectors signed off on it recently. With this in place, this allowed us to grant him permanent occupancy. (Bowling leagues and small events were being held at Papa Luigi’s based on a temporary occupancy permit since 2014.)

I want to thank our fire and inspection departments for their work in assisting Sal in the formal reopening process. Sal was highly complimentary of their efforts, and as mayor that is great to hear. I want South Milwaukee to be known as “open for business,” and we are.

Look for more information soon on the reopening plan.

Sal is already accepting banquet bookings for groups of 50 or more, with food — cooked fresh, made to order and delivered within 15 minutes — for now being catered in from his Cudahy location. Contact Janet (414-807-4965), Frank (414-839-3988) or their Cudahy restaurant location after 4 p.m. for bookings.

And I’ll keep you posted as his phased reopening continues. In the meantime, please join me in officially welcoming Sal back to South Milwaukee. Really, he never left.

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by | June 16, 2015 · 4:49 pm

School District Offers Summer Lunch Program

The South Milwaukee School District will be offering free lunches for children 18 and under Mondays through Fridays from June 22 through August 7.

Lunches will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the High School Commons. Enter at door 29, the field house entrance.

Adults can eat for $3.25, which includes a milk.

Check out the full menu here.

Thanks to the schools for offering this!

These lunches are available to all kids and families, regardless of income level. That said, there are plenty of struggling families in South Milwaukee — and this program is a way to ensure kids are getting a healthy meal throughout the week even when school is out.

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by | June 15, 2015 · 10:59 pm

Mobile Beer Garden Opens Wednesday!

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The 2015 Milwaukee County Parks Traveling Beer Garden tour makes a stop in South Milwaukee and Grant Park starting Wednesday.

Join me at 4 p.m. for a ceremonial keg tapping at Picnic Areas 5-6. The garden is then open to 10 p.m., with last call at 9.

The garden will appear at Grant Park through June 28.

Check out hours and more information here. From the parks …

Each of the stops on the 16-week tour features craft beer, gourmet sodas, Hard Root Beer, Hard Ginger Beer, and other refreshments from Sprecher Brewing. Authentic German food is available from Sprecher’s Restaurant & Pub. The Traveling Beer Garden™ is run by Milwaukee County Parks concessions staff. All revenue collected goes back into improving the parks across Milwaukee County.

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by | June 11, 2015 · 9:03 pm

Celebrate Flag Day Sunday At City Hall

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Please join us for the city’s annual Flag Day ceremony this Sunday at City Hall.

The brief ceremony starts at 6 p.m. at the gazebo outside of the Grobschmidt Senior Center. It will feature a flag retirement ceremony featuring local veterans and scouts, music from the South Milwaukee Municipal Band, and refreshments. We’ll also read select writings from Rawson Elementary students, who were asked to answer this question: “What does the flag mean to you?”

See you there!

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